Chapter Two
The Beginning of the End
Summary : Angel, grief stricken after Buffy's death, takes a trip to the Oracles, and finds out he might not be strong enough to save the one person he loves.
Author's Note : I don't own them. 'Cause if I did, I won't share.(he he) "Scooby Doo" is owned by Hanna barabara(Hopefully, I spelled that right)
Rant: I still can't believe what Joss Whendon has done!(*continues sobbing, as like last chapter*) It's going to be hard to bring her back......
Angel forgot how it was to feel pain. Not your" I-cut-myself-pain" or "my- boyfriend-cheated-on-me" pain. This was the kind that felt like he was losing his soul all over again, but the relief of the mind-numbing pain wasn't going to come. He fought against the urge to stake himself while he directed Spike to the L.A. post office. It was odd to be sitting in a car with his former competition for Drucilla's love, morning the loss of the same person. Mourning the death of a Slayer.
"We're here," Angel announced as he opened the passenger side door of his classic convertible. Spike did the same after shutting it off. As his elder opened the trunk to remove some items from a duffel bag, Spike groped into the pockets of his leather duster, desperate for a dose of nicotine to calm his undead nerves.
"Isn't good for your health, " Angel commented as he lead the way to the underground parking lot. He could almost touch Spike's annoyance.
"I'd rather be dead than this, " he mumbled, taking a long drag of the cigarette, knowing that it wouldn't lessen the sharp edge of complete defeat and helplessness that he felt. He did what Buffy had told him to do. Protect Dawn. Buffy still had died, so no of that really mattered anymore, he thought as he followed Angel into a small opening and into a cavern-like room.
"If I don't come back out, take the car and go back to Sunnydale, " Angel said, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them." If I happen to get thrown out, or die, you'll know. " He looked back to Spike as he dumped a package of incense into an offering bowl.
"And if I don't?" Spike asked, unable to control the craving to annoy him. He was smiling inwardly as he felt the sharp sting of Angel's smack.
"YOU JACKASS!" Angel raged, his emotions too much and too strong inside. On a level, he was jealous of the vampire. He had been with Buffy to the last moment, and he hadn't. When Buffy had needed someone to help. she had gone to Spike. He knew that there was a bond between Spike and Buffy . And he couldn't break it.
The rage inside disappeared as quickly as it had started. Choosing to ignore Spike, he lit the incense, and said," I beseech access to the all knowing ones."
He used his hand to block his eyes from the flash of brilliant white light that came from the solid marble doorway, it's power pulling him into the other realm. He blinked, allowing himself to adjust to his surrounds.
Gone were the towering Roman columns of marble. The room's decor had been replaced by gray stone, giving the area the feel of a haunted castle. A fire roared in the fireplace located near the door that he had entered. A rather comfortable chair was in front of it, the upholstery a dark wine.
"Decor looks like it came from a Scooby Doo episode, but it intimidates the guest, rattles their nerves," a female voice said from behind him. He turned, and couldn't help but allow his jaw to drop.
She was beautiful. Her long chestnut hair was halfway down her back, waving slightly. She was slim, with a figure of a super model. Her eyes were a pale violet, unusual because even though the color was pale, they seemed dark.
"Who are you?" he asked, tensing. He recognized her from somewhere. Thing was, in his two hundred years, there was a lot o somewheres.
He had been human. His father hated his son, so Liam sought out the things that would upset him the most. He walked happily into the back of a small building in his hometown of Galway, Ireland. He hated everything in the damn town, except for one special person.
"Hello Liam," the voice of the only thing he loved said, throwing her body into his open arms. He smiled to himself as he kissed her hello. She was four years younger than his 23 years, but she made up for the difference in bed.
"And what has my lovely Katherine been doin' this fine evening?" he asked her, pulling back from her full lips to gaze into her warm pale violet eyes, which smiled back at him.
"Waiting for you, Liam. Always." she stated simply , smiling up to him, kissing his lips softly. He couldn't help but chuckle as she lead him to her kitchen, knowing that he needed a good cup of ale.
"You know I'm going out tonight," Liam said to her as she set down a mug of ale. it's thick foam splashing over the rim to hit the worn wood of the table. He looked wearily at her as she sat down beside him, a frown appearing.
"Liam, I don't know why, but please, don't go out tonight. I feel as if..... once you walk out that door to the tavern, I'll never see you alive again."
He had ignored his love's warning, which had come true. That night Darla had turned him into Angelus. After attacking his family, he went in search of her, only to find that his once caring love had sold her soul for immortality. Angelus, amused by a human that matched his own evil, had taken her as a companion, deciding not to change her. For a century they tormented Europe, until Darla got jealous of the strong bond between them. So, she killed her.
"So, you have come here to save the Slayer," the woman said, moving to a chair that sat in front of the fire.
"How do I do it?" he asked, not moving. She laughed, looking up to him.
"You really think you can?" she said through her giggles. He looked at her, trying to figure out why she looked like she didn't belong to the room. Wearing dark leather pants, and a red halter could have been the reason. The last oracles where on the ancient Roman side of things.
"Sorry, I just thought that you of all people would try to save her, " she said, her giggles subsiding." But, I doubt you'll make it. No one has."
It took a moment for him to register her words, as the room around him burst into flames. He shielded his eyes from the light as the woman stood in the middle of the flames, a smile on her lips.
"test number one Liam," she began, moving toward him," Is to get to the other side of this room. You have an hour before there in't a space in the middle. You'll burn." With that, she turned and walked through the fire, leaving him to contemplate his choices as the fire drew closer to him.